ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation
Centre reviews Swachh Bharat Mission progress in Jammu and Kashmir
State commits overall ODF by next month
Secretary of Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation Mr Parameswaran Iyer reviewed the progress of Jammu and Kashmir on Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen  at Srinagar yesterday. Following a review with Dy Commissioners of all districts, the State committed to the central team that whole of Jammu and Kashmir will be declared ODF next month. Chief Secretary of the State Mr BVR Subrahmanyam and other senior officials joined the review. The State is preparing to achieve the milestone a full year ahead of the national target of 2nd October 2019 for a Swachh Bharat.
Mr Iyer emphasised on the quality aspects of the Sanitation programme and the need to engage with the community.
Earlier in the day, the Secretary called on the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Mr NN Vohra, and discussed the State's progress in Sanitation and related issues. The Secretary assured the state of complete support of the Government of India in the next phase of ODF including sustainability and Solid and Liquid Waste Management. He was accompanied by the Director General  Shri Akshay Rout.
Mr Iyer also visited the aspirational district, Kupwara, near the border and reviewed various parameters including the sanitation progress in villages and interacted with villagers. He also visited a major Water Supply plant in Srinagar.
Jammu and Kashmir has shown a phenomenal improvement in its rural sanitation coverage since the launch of the SBM. From 22% in October 2014, the rural sanitation coverage in the State today stands at over 98% and the State is close to declaring itself Open Defecation Free. The progress has been even more remarkable in recent months. Nationally, the sanitation coverage has increased from 39% in 2014 to over 90% today, with over 4.2 lakh villages, 429 districts, and 19 States/UTs already declared ODF.
AR/SNC/SD
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
On a steady and continued downward trajectory, India's Active Caseload further declines to 17,13,413
Active Cases decrease by 80,232 in last 24 hours
India reports 1.34 lakh Daily New Cases in last 24hours, continued decrease in Daily New Cases reported in the country
2.64 crore persons have recovered from COVID19 across the country so far
2,11,499 patients recovered during last 24 hours
More daily Recoveries than the Daily New Cases for 21 consecutive days
Following a steady growth, Recovery Rate increases to 92.79%
Weekly Positivity Rate currently at 7.66%
Daily positivity rate at 6.21%, less than 10% for 10successive days
Testing capacity substantially ramped up–a total of 35.3cr tests conducted so far
22.10 Cr. Vaccine Doses administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive; more than 22 Lakh vaccinated in last 24 hours
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Shri Narayan Rane calls for coordinated effort by all stakeholders to resolve the issue of delayed payments.
Union Minister for MSME Shri Narayan Rane has called for coordinated efforts by all stakeholders to resolve the issue of Delayed Payments. Receiving a comprehensive report on the impact of delayed payments on MSMEs on Tuesday, Shri Rane said delayed payments from buyers weaken the MSME suppliers and impede their growth. He said that the Government has been implementing a series of interventions to address the problem. At the same time, given the complexity of the problem, a lasting solution will need all stakeholders – the buyers, solution providers and MSMEs – to come together to address it, he added. The Minister highlighted the key role of MSMEs in powering the Indian economy to its $5 trillion dollar future.
The report titled ‘Unlocking the full potential of India’s MSMEs through prompt payments’ written by Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship  and Dun & Bradstreet  India and supported by Omidyar Network comprehensively covers the issue of delayed payments, and looks into the impact of this practice on MSMEs’ survival and growth, supply chains and the overall economy.
MJPS
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Ministry of Corporate Affairs
SFIO’s Market Research Analysis Unit prepares 55 reports on fraud & misappropriation by Companies; SFIO assigned 12 for probe
During the last 3 years, 55 number of research reports prepared by Market Research and Analysis Unit  have been submitted to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs . 12 number of investigations have been assigned to Serious Fraud Investigation Office .
This was stated by Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Minister of State for Finance & Corporate Affairs, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
The MRAU unit works in SFIO and prepares research reports on the serious complaints alleging fraud and misappropriation by the companies, either referred to it by MCA as well as received by it. The research reports are submitted to the MCA.
The Minister further stated that out of 12 investigations during the above relevant years, prosecutions have been filed against 3 companies by SFIO. In 41 cases, investigations have been ordered by the Ministry to be conducted by Regional Directors  and Registrar of Companies . Ministry has ordered inspections in 231 cases to be conducted by Regional Directors / Registrar of Companies and inquiry has been ordered against 31 companies to be conducted by ROCs. Prosecutions have been filed against 27 companies by ROCs for violations of various provisions of Companies Act, 2013 and the cases are in different stages before various courts.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
220.66 cr Total Vaccine doses  have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
208 doses administered in last 24 hours
India's Active caseload currently stands at 65,683
Active cases stand at 0.15%
Recovery Rate currently at 98.67%
9,011 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 4,43,01,865
7,178 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
Daily positivity rate 
Weekly Positivity Rate 
92.54 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 78,342 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
Ministry of Communications
India plays key role in shaping ITU 6G Vision Framework
International Telecommunication Union  has approved the 6G Vision Framework. India, through Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications played a key role in framing the Framework.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had released India’s 6G Vision “Bharat 6G Vision” document on March 23, 2023 which envisages India to be a front-line contributor in design, development and deployment of 6G technology by 2030.
Bharat 6G Vision is based on principles of Affordability, Sustainability and Ubiquity. It ensures that India takes its rightful place in the world as a leading supplier of advanced telecom technologies and solutions that are affordable and contribute to the global good.
Thereafter, the efforts of the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications in prioritising 6G standardisation have successfully resulted in adoption of Ubiquitous Connectivity, Ubiquitous Intelligence and Sustainability as key elements of 6G Technology and has also enhanced India’s position in the International Telecommunication space.
The 6th Generation or 6G Technology has been named ‘IMT 2030’ by ITU, the specialised agency for Information and Communication Technologies of United Nations. The recommendation of ITU for 6G Framework, approved on June 22, 2023; will serve as foundation document in 6G research and development and will pave way for development of 6G Technology worldwide.
The ITU 6G Framework has been formulated with collaborative efforts of member countries of United Nations in which India has played front-runner role from the very beginning.
Telecommunication Engineering Centre , the technical arm of Ministry of Communications has spearheaded India’s standardisation work on this 6G Framework. The National Study Group , headed by TEC, has done extensive work in submitting regular Indian contributions towards the development of the ITU 6G framework. The inclusive approach adopted by TEC has resulted in wide stakeholder participation in the National Study Group with involvement of major industries, startups, academia and R & D organisations.
The TEC led NSG has been working on this framework since last few years, and has been advocating for India specific requirements at the International forum. In past, India, through NSG, had also contributed in development of 5G technology- a key outcome of which was adoption of Low Mobility Large Cell  by ITU as 5G use case.
RKJ/DK
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Quick OPD registrations now possible under Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
ABDM introduced QR Code based rapid OPD registration service at Lady Hardinge Medical College  & Smt. Sucheta Kriplani Hospital  Hospital in New Delhi
More health facilities in New Delhi to offer QR Code based OPD registration service powered by ABDM
The National Health Authority  under its flagship scheme Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission  is undertaking a pilot for faster OPD registration service at the new OPD block of Lady Hardinge Medical College  & Smt. Sucheta Kriplani Hospital  in New Delhi. This service allows old as well as new patients to simply scan a QR Code and share their demographic details like name, father name, age, gender, address, mobile number etc. with the hospital. This helps to reduce the time taken at the OPD registration counter, provides accurate data in the hospital record and, most importantly, avoid the wait in the long queues. The service is planned to be extended to other health facilities and departments soon.
The QR Code based OPD registration service allows the patients to scan the hospital’s unique QR Code with their mobile phone  and share their profile details with the hospital. Once the profile is shared, the hospital provides a token number . The token generated is sent as a notification to the patient’s selected app and is also displayed on the screens placed at the OPD registration counters for the ease of patients. As per their token number, the patient can go to the registration counter and directly collect their outpatient slip  for doctor consultation as their details are already present at the registration counter.
Talking about the benefits of this service, Dr. R.S. Sharma, CEO, NHA said – “Under the ABDM, we’re using technology to simplify processes and make healthcare more efficient. The QR Code based rapid OPD registration service is a step in this direction. It helped over 2200 patients avoid the hustle of long queues with considerably reduced waiting time and minimal time at the registration counter within 15 days of this pilot in LHMC & SSKH. The direct profile sharing has also helped achieve higher level of accuracy in patient records. Our team is working with other health facilities and departments to extend this service and help more patients.”
The ABDM team worked closely with the team of LHMC/ SSKH to set-up the QR Code based faster registration service for their OPD block. Appropriate messaging and kiosk were put up to significantly reduce the waiting time for patients. Further, to assist the patients, support personnel were also posted to help them understand the steps and benefits of using this service. The team also helped the patients create their Ayushman Bharat Health Account or ABHA numbers that shall help them in digitizing their health records. These services will now be extended to more health facilities like hospitals, clinics, diagnostic labs etc. to help the patients save time and efforts.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister Pays Tributes to Sushma Swaraj
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi paid tributes to former External Affairs Minister Late Smt Sushma Swaraj on her birth anniversary today
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, the late leader “epitomised dignity, decency and unwavering commitment to public service. Firmly rooted in Indian values and ethos, she had great dreams for our nation. She was an exceptional colleague and an outstanding Minister”.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Shri Nitin Gadkari emphasises Coordination, Cooperation and Communication under PM Gati Shakti Master plan among all stakeholders for National Highway development ecosystem
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari said Coordination, Cooperation and Communication under PM Gati Shakti Master plan among all stakeholders is necessary for National Highway development ecosystem. Addressing NHAI Workshop on Implementation of e-BG & Insurance Surety Bonds for Contracts in New Delhi today he said decision making has to be time bound, transparent and result oriented .
Minister of State Gen.  V. K. Singh ; Shri Anurag Jain, Secretary, MoRTH; Shri Santosh Kumar Yadav Chairman, NHAI & senior officials from MoRTH, NeSL, IRDAI, NHAI, NHIDCL, Industry experts, representatives of banks and insurance companies were present on the occasion.
The objective of this workshop was to highlight the benefits of e-BGs and Insurance Surety Bonds among various stakeholders and expedite adoption of these instruments. Wider implementation of e-BG and Insurance Surety Bonds will ensure greater transparency and efficiency of processes.
The workshop saw various presentations made by NeSL, Banks and Insurance Companies. The sessions dwelled deeper into e-BG workflow, Regulatory Framework of Surety Bonds and deliberated different prospectives for vendors and the beneficiaries.
NHAI has started accepting the Bid Security and Performance Security in the form of e-BG. However, at present only 13 banks in 19 states & Union Territories provide the facility of issuing e-BG. Despite this, till date about 202 e-BGs pertaining to NHAI contracts have been issued by various banks in different states through NeSL platform.
NHAI is also in touch with the insurance companies to analyze use of Insurance Surety Bonds as an additional mode of submitting Bid Security and /or Performance Security Deposit. The Insurance Surety Bonds, when issued, would be cost effective and provide adequate security for NHAI projects.
A Bank Guarantee  is a Financial Instrument used as a legal contract in which a bank acts as a guarantor and undertakes an obligation to pay the beneficiary a certain amount of money specified in the guarantee, if the debtor from the original contract does not fulfill his contractual obligations. Similarly, Insurance Surety Bonds are instruments where insurance companies act as ‘Surety’ and provides the financial guarantee that the contractor will fulfil its obligation as per the agreed terms. Ministry of Finance, Government of India has made e-BG and Insurance Surety Bonds at par for all Government procurements.
As India aspires to become a $ 5 Trillion economy, instruments like the e-BG and Insurance Surety Bonds will boost availability of liquidity and capacity, which will help to strengthen National Highway infrastructure development and assist the economic growth of our country.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Setting up of Mobile Labs for Soil Testing
Since 2015, based on demand from states, 107 mobile labs have been set up under Soil Health Management programme. In all total 11531 labs have been set up including 491 static labs, 107 mobile labs, 8811 mini labs and 2122 village level labs.
Government has been implementing Soil Health Card  scheme since 2015 to provide soil test based fertilizer use recommendations periodically to the farmers in the country. Soil health card provides nutrient status of the soil along with prescription about balanced and integrated use of inorganic and organic fertilizers to maintain good health that results in increase in production. SHC based fertilizer use advisories are issued to farmers from time to time. Demonstrations about balanced use of fertilizers based on soil health card recommendations and training to the farmers on proper and integrated use of fertilizers are integral part of the scheme. State/ district agriculture machinery and panchayats, village level rural development workers like KrishiSakhis, PasuSakhis are involved in educating farmers on right use of fertilizers. Indian Council of Agricultural Research  also imparts training, organizes front line demonstrations to educate farmers on this aspect.
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Mines
Mineral Production Increases By 4.6 % During September 2022
The index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector for the month of September, 2022  at 99.5, is 4.6% higher as compared to the level in the month of September, 2021. As per the provisional statistics of the Indian Bureau of Mines , the cumulative growth for the period April-September, 2022-23 over the corresponding period of previous year is 4.2 per cent. Production level of important minerals in September, 2022 were: Coal 580 lakh tonnes, Lignite 27 lakh tonnes, Natural gas  2791 million cu. m., Petroleum  24 lakh tonnes, Bauxite 1667 thousand tonnes, Chromite 116 thousand tonnes, Copper conc. 10 thousand tonnes , Gold 92 kg, Iron ore 166 lakh tonnes, Lead conc. 22 thousand tonnes, Manganese ore 163 thousand tonnes, Zinc conc. 45 thousand tonnes, Limestone 305 lakh tonnes, Phosphorite 150 thousand tonnes, Magnesite 10 thousand tonnes, and Diamond 70 carat.
Important minerals showing positive growth during September, 2022 over September, 2021 include: Phosphorite , Diamond , Copper conc , Coal , Iron Ore , Bauxite  and Limestone . Other important minerals showing negative growth include: Natural Gas  , Petroleum  , Manganese ore , Magnesite , Chromite , Gold , Lignite , Lead conc , and Zinc conc .
Ministry of Science & Technology
Agri-start-ups recommended for technical & financial support from pool of Rs 20 Cr
Experts recommended 24 start-ups for technical as well as financial support from a total fund of Rs 20 Cr allocated for accelerating promising ideas, innovations, and technologies, at the ATMAN 2023 programme organised by the Department of Science & Technology  and four Technology Innovation Hubs set up under the National Mission on Inter-disciplinary Cyber Physical Systems  at four IITs-- Ropar, Bombay, Indore and Kharagpur.
They were recommended by the jury from among 55 startups who presented their innovative solutions, at the five panels on precision farming, agro IoT and agri 4.0; mechanisation and automation; market intelligence and yield prediction and farm advisory and communication, organised as part of the ATMAN 2023 programme. Top pitch of the sessions were selected and awarded with best pitch award while 20 key agri-tech technologies developed by the four TIHs were showcased at the exhibition organised during the programme.
Union Minister of State  Science and Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh who inaugurated the ATMAN programme called for wider synergy among the Research, Academia, StartUps and Industry for having a win-win proposition not only for innovative product development, but also for effective national and global branding and marketing.
Secretary DST, Dr Rajesh Gokhle pointed out that by supporting development and commercialization of innovative technologies/products/services in hassle free manner the ATMAN prograrme can facilitate the success of the technology start-ups in AgriTech marketplace. “It can also give an opportunity to start-ups to exhibit and demonstrate their technologies to potential stakeholders from government and industry, “he added.
“In agriculture deep tech startups & innovation is not very common. In India, about 100000 startup’s in which 15000 are working on tech, out of this 3000 are in deep tech, 142 worked in agriculture area. Now 60 more will be added from this ATMAN program. These 4 TIHs are trying to create intervention across the country and also planning to associate some agriculture universities & colleges in future,” said Dr Akhilesh Gupta, Senior Adviser DST and Secretary SERB.
During the programme a Grand Challenge & Competition  was launched by Technology and Innovation Hub for Internet of Things  at IIT Bombay for providing a platform where visionary thinkers can craft innovative, modular, and cost-effective solutions to develop IoT Technologies for interconnecting water, land, and air; SAMRIDHI 2.0 or Strategic Acceleration for Market, Research, Innovation & Development’: a Holistic Initiative for ICPS Startups under NM – ICPS, was launched by IIT Ropar Technology and Innovation Hub : Agriculture and Water Technology Development Hub  while Quantum Enabled Science and Technology  compendium and an ATMAN booklet were released.
Prime Minister's Office
People of Pune knows how to welcome in style: PM
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi said that people of Pune knows how to welcome in style. The people of Pune made a grand welcome to the Vande Bharat train on its arrival in Pune with energetic rhythm of dhol tasha.
In response to a tweet by Central Railway, PM said;
“Pune surely knows how to welcome in style!”
Ministry of Home Affairs
Nagaland CM calls on Union Home Minister
The Chief Minister of Nagaland, Shri Neiphiu Rio called on the Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh here today. The Chief Minister apprised the Union Home Minister about the situation in the State and the issues on which the State Government requires support of the Centre such as improvement of police infrastructure.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, Union Home Secretary Shri Rajiv Gauba and Senior Officers from MHA and the Nagaland State Government were present.
President's Secretariat
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind will visit Gujarat from April 9 to 11, 2022.
On April 9, 2022, the President will inaugurate a National Conference on Mediation and Information Technology, being organised by the High Court of Gujarat, at Ekta Nagar, Narmada district.
On April 10, 2022, the President will inaugurate Madhavpur Ghed Fair-2022 at Madhavpur, Porbandar.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Eradication of TB
The National Strategic Plan  was approved by Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare on 8th May 2017 and is being implemented in the entire country with the goal of Ending TB by 2025.
Under the National Strategic Plan  for Tuberculosis , 20%, 22% and 24% of the funds have been earmarked for social welfare assistance in years 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 respectively.
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2017-18
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2018-19
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2019-20
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Amount 
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612.60
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907.53
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1223.94
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As % of total budget
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20%
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22%
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24%
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Total NSP proposed budget
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3135.61
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4115.64
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5075.95
The following ongoing schemes are being implemented under the National TB Elimination Programme:
- Support of 750 rupees is being provided to all TB patients in tribal notified blocks towards travel support
- Treatment Supporters’ honorarium are provided to Community treatment Supporters who support patients during the treatment, leading to a successful outcome @Rs.1000 for Drug Sensitive TB , Rs 2000 for completion of Intensive Phase and Rs.3000 on completion of Continuation Phase of treatment for Drug Resistant TB.
Following new schemes are also being implemented:
- Nikshay Poshan Yojana is being implemented from 01st April 2018, wherein 500 rupees per month is being provided to All TB patients towards nutritional support for the duration of their treatment.
- Incentives for Private sector Providers  who notify TB patient on Nikshay are provided Rs.500 on notification and another Rs.500 for updating the patient’s treatment outcome.
The Ministry has established an Inter-Ministerial Coordination committee under the chairpersonship of Secretary  with representation from 18 Ministries including Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and Ministry of Labor & Employment, etc. for smooth linkages between the TB programme and various ministries.
The Minister of State , Sh. Ashwini Kumar Choubey stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha here today.